Awe and Wonder : Part Ten

Awe and Wonder : Part Ten

29-36 “Dear friends, let me be completely frank with you. Our ancestor David is dead and buried—his tomb is in plain sight today. But being also a prophet and knowing that God had solemnly sworn that a descendant of his would rule his kingdom, seeing far ahead, he talked of the resurrection of the Messiah—‘no trip to Hades, no stench of death.’ This Jesus, God raised up. And every one of us here is a witness to it. Then, raised to the heights at the right hand of God and receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he poured out the Spirit he had just received. That is what you see and hear. For David himself did not ascend to heaven, but he did say,

God said to my Master, “Sit at my right hand
Until I make your enemies a stool for resting your feet.”

“All Israel, then, know this: There’s no longer room for doubt—God made him Master and Messiah, this Jesus whom you killed on a cross.”

37 Cut to the quick, those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers! Brothers! So now what do we do?”

38-39 Peter said, “Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children, but also for all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.”

40 He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, “Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!”

41 That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up.’
(Acts 2 v. 29 – 41)

NOTES
When I visited the Holy Land, I was surprised to feel deeply moved when I stood alongside the ‘Tomb of King David’ in Jerusalem.
The symbols of the musical instruments on the tomb covering reminded me of the affinity I feel towards David, the musical shepherd, who wrote incredible songs which we still sing / read today (‘The Lord’s my Shepherd’ being his most well-known).

Peter points out to the gathered crowd that Israel’s mightiest king, David, is dead and buried, whilst Jesus, who may not have become the warrior king that most were looking for – ‘in the line of King David’ – is the one whose kingdom has no end, who has defeated even death itself. Again, being a witness to the resurrection is key to the message Peter presents.

Many of the listeners want to respond to this radical, life-changing, message and ask Peter what they should do. Peter tells them they must ‘repent’, or turn around, change direction, and put their trust in the risen Lord Jesus. Baptism will be a sign of this change of direction, this decision ‘for’ Jesus. And being filled with the Spirit will be what will enable to true life-change to happen.

The appeal is to choose another way, rather than the crazy culture(s) we see and experience all around us today. To choose God’s way, His kingdom, His priorities, His holy living, rather than our own, or the ways of the world.
Still an appeal and a challenge for us all today.

3,000 said ‘yes’, 2,000 years ago.
From small beginnings, the number of disciples / followers began to grow rapidly.

PRAYER
You are Lord – You are Lord
You are risen from the dead
and You’re my Lord
every knee shall bow
every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord

You are King – You are King
You will draw all nations to You
You are King
and the time will be
when the world shall see
that Jesus Christ is King
AMEN.

Phil Gough